News Releases

On October 5 and 6, 2011, Providence professors Rolf Nolasco and Rod Buxton were the keynote speakers at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba’s Provincial Gambling Conference. On Wednesday Dr Nolasco presented an all-day workshop on the topic of “Mindfulness and Clinical Considerations.” His presentation covered the areas of neuroscience and neurobiology. He focused on the neurobiology of addictions and how this area of research and study is helping professional counsellors understand the role of neuroscience in psychotherapy. The first day ended with a session on mindfulness (being internally attuned and externally engaged), concluding with a look at what it means to be a mindful therapist.

On Thursday morning Dr Buxton presented considerations for working with gambling clients. The emphasis of the session was on therapist self-care when working with addicted persons, their significant others, family members, and other affected stakeholders. The session concluded with the participants using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Scale to measure their levels of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue.

On Friday, October 7, 2011 Dr. Rolf Nolasco also presented a workshop at Health Sciences Center-Spiritual Care Department on Mindfulness and the Workplace: Fully Awake and Fully Alive. The workshop was received well and participants expressed their gratitude for the learning gained. The chair of the department is now looking into bringing Dr. Nolasco back to do the same workshop with the senior leadership at HSC.